WAIKATO SHOW

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16654, 20 November 1925, Page 6

WAIKATO SHOW

SUCCESSFUL SECOND DAY

mum BY FINE WEATHER

There was a bigger crowd at the Waikato Stock Show yesterday than for many years past. This was due largely to the fact that the weather was beautifully line. An agricultural show ground on a wet day is a' miserable place, and as the Waikato A. and P. Association have experienced a succession of wet “people’s days,” which have in consequence deplenished their exchequer, for the expense still goes on no matter what the attendance, they were naturally watching the barometer with some apprehension. Jupiter Pluviiis spared them this year, however with the result that the countryside "came to town and the town went over to Claudelands. The scene was, in fact, quite a gay one when the crowd was thickest in the middle of the afternoon. The huge exhibition ring was lined with people during the progress of the equestrian events, when some excellent jumping was witnessed. The chief event of the afternoon was the Dominion Jumping Competition, which drew a field of 17 competitors, amongst whom were some of the best-known hunting horses of the Island. The competition was won by Wynn Brown’s Saunterer, which put up a splendid record.' He was closely followed in points by W. T. Glee Son’s Gulielmus, both horses putting up excellent performances. At Shows of this description there

is always a band of silent workers about whom the public hears little. The public also little knows of the amount of labour entailed in preparing for a show of this kind. It is only those closely, associated with the actual arrangements who. realise all that a show entails upon the men and women who work away, year after year, without hope or thought of reward other than the success of their show. The president is always a hard-worked man. This year Mr W. Newell has again held the reins of office and upon his shoulders has fallen a big share of the burden. He has, of course had the assistance of an excellent "executive and an energetic band of stewards —all workers, who have helped to lighten his load. The maD who has most of the worry, however, is the secretary, Mr J. Baxter. “Jimmy Baxter” is known throughout the province as the happiest and most obliging show secretary we have, and one can always rely, in dealings with him, on receiving courteous treatment at his hands. An unostentatious, steady worker, he is always thorough and reliable and is ever to be found at, his post. A great assistance to him is his chief lieutenant, his wife, who attends to many of the details which while they might be small in themselves, arc yet so Important to the successful conduct of a show of this nature. The Association has every reason to be gratified with the success of this year’s exhibition, both from the standpoint of attendance and the quality and numbers of the stock shown.

The additional prize list was as follows' — HORSES. Lady rider (open): Miss E. Meads l t Miss K. Fisher 2, Mrs Insoll 3. Steeplechase, to be judged on style: Major A. M. Samuel 1, H. Windsor 2, R. J. Weal 3. Champion hunter: Miss A. Kelso’s “Patch.” Wire jumper, hunting style: C. Johnston 1, A. M. Fisher 2, Miss Kelso 3, Consolation hunter: J. McNickle 1, Mrs. E. A. Fraser 2, J. M. Johnston 3. Dominion Jumping Competition.— (First Prize £GO. second £25, third £lO, fourth £5): Wynn Brown’s Saunterer 1, W. T. Gleeson’s Gulielmus 2, A. N. Dingle’s Waikaretu 3, M. McNickle’s Ohura 4.

The winner of the lady’s hunter class was given as Mr R. A. Hinton's nominee. This should read, however, Mr W. T. Gleeson’s ‘“Gulielmus.”

piggedly, with the result that those, in the most forward places could not get clear until the rear cars had pulled out. The late milk-oh was in evidence in many a milking shed as a result. Many of the visitors made a real picnic outing of the Show. They brought the billy, the basket and the teapot, and handed round the “cup that cheers” in their cars. The hot water that was supplied free by Mr Baggerley was essential, and the many people who had recourse to this service deeply appreciated this kindly provision in the interests of the “inner man.”

“It’s not for the personal gain; there isn’t any. We do this because we consider’that the Show should be supported.” This was the comment of one of the prominent exhibitors of dairy cattle to a pressman yesterday. He added that he often wondered why he put himself to all the trouble of preparing animals for show purposes, but he was always over-ruled by the" conclusion that the show was a good thing for a district and should have the hearty support of every breeder. “There are many backsliders, however,” he added, with a knowing wink and a significant nod as he completed hitching up Snowdrop’s cover. “That’s the spirit” retorted the man of the Fourth Estate as he moved on to a champion’s stall. While the exhibition of stock is the salient feature for attention at show periods, it must not be forgotten that the department of home industries is also linked inseparably with agricultural pursuits. Mrs and Miss Waikato and their competitive neighbours can present a great array of delectable edibles, and their part in the ramifications of agricultural life warrants appreciation and a place of prominence at show periods. The display this year was extensive and appealing.

There are many essential people on show days, but none more so than those who are charged with the regulation of the traffic. It is imperative that there, should be such supervision, as with the continuous flow of motor traffic on the King’s highway an intolerable state of affairs would be created if lt were a “free-for-ail” so far as the routes to be traversed and the speed applied on each arc concerned. The police, the traffic inspector, and the various auxiliary units in this department are to be commended for their expeditious handling of the traffic, particularly at the rush hours.

The champion jumping competition, which is looked upon as one feature of People’s Day at the Waikato Show, has its attraction for town and country people alike. While it was warranted, it was also significant that the leading honours in this department should go to a horse that had been prepared by the principal In the very Institution that has for so many years been responsible for turning out capable jumpers from the Waikato. The Waikato Hunt, with the master, Mr Wynn Brown, in the leading role, is almost a pass-word In this respect. The success achieved yesterday by his horse Saunterer was very popular. The accommodation that has of recent times been provided at Claudelands for dairy cattle has well repaid the expense that was entailed in its erection. Show exhibitors do not care to take the risk with valuable pedigree stock out in the open. When they are aware that proper housing Is available they have no qualms, and the Association’s consideration in this respect has been the subject of frequent commendatory remarks. It will be a

rr o od move when something further can be provided in this respect, hut exhibitors can rest assured that the Association will keep the matter of further building in the forefront of their programme for the future. It is difficult to estimate the number of cars that were in the Show enclosure yesterday, but there ■was a dense array of all makes and sizes of machine, stretching in depth from the rails of the course to the boundary fence along the railway frontage and extending from the area to the right Of the outside itand back as far east ap the Hukanui road boundary. The financial value of the assembled cars inside this space can only be guessed at, but the cheque would more than keep a man out of want for the term of his natural life. In addition to the cars referred to, the streets bordeiing the Showgrounds on the southern and western frontages were lined with cars for the length of half-a-dozen blocks.

SHOW CHAT

The musical programme submitted by the Citizens’ Band at the Show yesterday enlivened proceedings considerably. The fat lambs at this year’s Show were an excellent exhibit. Every animal shown was in first-class condition, and the chief prize winner, Mr T. Martin, of Rototuna, who again secured the points prize for the 12th show in succession, had a beautiful team of animals forward that were a great credit to the breeder. The musical programme submitted by the Municipal Band at the Show yesterday enlivened proceedings considerably. While the defaulters are well in the minority, the fact cannot be missed by critical and competent show inspectors that some exhibitors think that any class of animal can lake a prize. The condition of their stock is poor and the mention of any special preparation for showing purposes is

anathema' to them. These are two points to which all exhibitors require to pay attention if they '‘desire to achieve successful results. “Any old thing" as a slogan will not do for the show ring. Among the prominent visitors to the exhibition yesterday was the Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal Affairs, who arrived during the afternoon. The Minister, a practical farmer himself, was‘naturally very interested in the display, and particularly the stock portion of it. It gave him pleasure to find his home district of Waikato living up to its reputation for high-class agricultural and pastoral exhibits. “While you may be deficient to some extent in the provision of adequate housing for your stock at Show time, you certainly have little to fear from your competitors in the matter of allround quality.” This was the/summing up of a Canterbury man who was here for the Show. He had seen the recent Royal Show, and considered that the Waikato would have been represented with credit by many of the sheep, cattle and hordes he saw at Claudclands during the two days. The Grand Parade is really the item dc luxe of People’s Day. When the aggregated, animated competitive supply of the show is on the move it presents a wonderful sight. Yesterday’s parade was quite up to the standard of the best of its predecessors. All round the packed enclosure were to be heard exclamations of the highest approval at the quality of “the show on the move,” if it may be put so.

Some improved arrangement for the marshalling of cars might be given consideration for next year’s show. At many points yesterday they were fiv owded up criss-cross higgle dy-